U.S. patent application number 13/338572 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for usb solid state storage device casing for automated writing and dispensing.
Invention is credited to Gordon P. Fletcher, Lisbeth M. Fletcher.
Application Number | 20130003287 13/338572 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46383512 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130003287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fletcher; Gordon P. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
USB SOLID STATE STORAGE DEVICE CASING FOR AUTOMATED WRITING AND
DISPENSING
Abstract
A storage device has a casing with physical and mechanical
features that enable an automated dispenser to reliably move the
storage device through a loading and dispensing process
therewithin. The casing's physical and mechanical features reduce
the chance of a user loading the storage device in an automated
dispenser incorrectly. The casing may also improve the stacking of
storage devices in a dispenser. The features herein additionally
assist a free fall while loading to the automated dispenser. The
storage devices may be, for example, USB solid state drives (also
referred to as flash drives, thumb drives, or the like), Secure
Digital (SD) cards, CompactFlash (CF) cards and the like.
Inventors: |
Fletcher; Gordon P.; (La
Mesa, CA) ; Fletcher; Lisbeth M.; (La Mesa,
CA) |
Family ID: |
46383512 |
Appl. No.: |
13/338572 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12980128 |
Dec 28, 2010 |
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13338572 |
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13111142 |
May 19, 2011 |
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12980128 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 5/0278
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.32 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A storage device comprising: a connector adapted to enable
digital content to be transferred onto or from the storage device;
a housing encasing electronics of the storage device; and at least
one grasping feature configured to the housing, the grasping
feature further provided to permit an automated machine to move the
storage device thereabout.
2. The storage device of claim 1, the grasping feature comprising
rectilinear protrusions, the protrusions spaced apart and extending
from at least one side of the housing.
3. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising at least one
mechanical asymmetry feature, the mechanical asymmetry feature
providing an asymmetric design for the housing and further
preventing improper loading to the automated machine.
4. The storage device of claim 3, the at least one mechanical
asymmetry feature comprising an angled corner on a first side of an
end opposite the connector, and a rounded corner at a second side
of the end opposite the connector.
5. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a guiding
feature configured the housing, the guiding feature for assisting
proper loading to the automated machine.
6. The storage device of claim 5, the guiding feature further
comprising: a hole formed in the housing at an end opposite the
connector, the hole configured to substantially mate with a rail in
the automated machine; a channel coupled to the hole, the channel
configured to substantially mate with the rail; and a first angled
ledge for assisting a free fall ensuring proper loading to the
automated machine.
7. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a
universal serial bus (USB) solid state storage device.
8. A storage device comprising: a connector adapted to enable
digital content to be transferred onto or from the storage device;
a housing encasing electronics of the storage device; and at least
one mechanical asymmetry feature, the mechanical asymmetry feature
providing an asymmetric design for the housing, and further
preventing improper loading to an automated machine.
9. The storage device of claim 8, further comprising a grasping
feature configured to the housing, the grasping feature further
provided to permit the automated machine to move the storage device
thereabout.
10. The storage device of claim 9, the grasping feature comprising
a plurality of rectilinear protrusions, the protrusions spaced
apart and extending from at least one side of the housing.
11. The storage device of claim 8, the at least one mechanical
asymmetry feature comprising an angled corner on a first side of an
end opposite the connector, and a rounded corner at a second side
of the end opposite the connector.
12. The storage device of claim 8, further comprising a guiding
feature configured the housing, the guiding feature for assisting
proper loading to the automated machine, the guiding feature
further comprising: a hole formed in the housing at an end opposite
the connector, the hole configured to substantially mate with a
rail in the automated machine; a channel coupled to the hole, the
channel configured to substantially mate with the rail; and a first
angled ledge for assisting a free fall ensuring proper loading to
the automated machine.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part and claims
benefit of the priority date of U.S. patent application Ser No.
12/980,128 filed on Dec. 28, 2010, entitled SYSTEM FOR WRITING TO
AND DISPENSING SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES; additionally this
patent application further is a continuation-in-part and claims
benefit of the priority date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/111,142 filed on May 19, 2011, entitled USB SOLID STATE STORAGE
DRIVE FOR AUTOMATED WRITING AND DISPENSING, accordingly, the entire
contents of these patent applications are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains generally to providing
digital media content. More particularly, the present invention
relates to providing solid-state storage devices containing digital
data to a user. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention
more particularly relates to apparatus and methods for writing to
and dispensing solid-state storage devices.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Currently, a growing number of consumers are turning to
solid-state storage devices such as thumb drives and memory cards
for their computer storage needs in lieu of optical storage
devices, such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, due to the increased durability,
reliability, portability, and ease of storing and retrieving
digital media.
[0006] Furthermore, solid-state storage devices may also allow
content providers to deliver more timely and relevant content with
more flexibility and lower cost as compared to traditional optical
storage devices. As such, content providers such as photo labs,
digital photographers, software firms, electronic game developers,
or movie studios may wish to start providing content on solid-state
storage devices instead of or in addition to the optical formats
they currently provide.
[0007] A lack of physical, electro-mechanical, and mechanical
features on currently designed universal serial bus (USB) solid
state devices makes loading and dispensing unreliable being prone
to mistakes just as misalignment and jamming. Current USB memory
device housings are primarily for cosmetic purposes, such as for
marketing or branding and are not designed for handling by an
automated machine such as a dispenser or a kiosk. In other words,
the current devices would be often loaded incorrectly and not
easily moved throughout an automated dispenser.
[0008] As can be seen, there is a need for a storage device having
one or more structural features to aid in the loading and automatic
dispensing of the storage device. Therefore, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a storage device casing design that
has graspable features to assist a machine to move a device
throughout in an automation process. It is further an object of the
present invention to provide a device with physical features that
allow it to free fall within a hopper without jamming in a chute
thereof. It is still further an object of the present invention to
provide a device casing with additional feature so that it cannot
be loaded backward or upside-down. It is yet further an object of
the present invention to provide a device design that provides
advantages described herein without being perceived as awkward or
unsightly by the public.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art.
More particularly, the present invention in a first aspect, is a
storage device having physical feature to aid in loading and
automated handling thereof comprising a connector adapted to enable
content to be transferred on to or from the storage device; a
housing encasing electronics of the storage device; and at least
one grasping feature on the housing, the grasping feature adapted
to permit an automatic storage device dispenser to automatically
load and dispense the storage device.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a storage device
comprises a connector adapted to enable content to be transferred
on to or from the storage device; a housing encasing electronics of
the storage device; at least one grasping feature on the housing,
the grasping feature adapted to permit an automatic storage device
dispenser to automatically load and dispense the storage device; at
least one mechanical asymmetry feature, the mechanical asymmetry
feature providing an asymmetric design for the housing; and a
guiding feature formed in the housing.
[0011] More specifically, a preferred embodiment provides that the
grasping features are comprised of rectilinear protrusions being
spaced apart and extending from at least one side of the housing.
Further, the asymmetrical design may be realized as an angled
corner on a first side of an end opposite the connector, and a
rounded corner at a second side of the end of the connector. It
should be readily appreciated that the asymmetrical design could be
anywhere on the casing.
[0012] Additionally, the guiding feature is additionally
characterized as comprising a hole formed in the housing at an end
opposite the connector, the hole configured to substantially mate
with a rail in the automated machine; a channel coupled to the
hole, the channel configured to substantially mate with the rail;
and a first angled ledge for assisting a free fall ensuring proper
loading to the automated machine.
[0013] These, as well as other advantages of the present invention
will be more apparent from the following description and drawings.
It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and
described may be made within the scope of the claims, without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0014] While the apparatus and method has or will be described for
the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it
is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly
formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily
limited in any way by the construction of "means" or "steps"
limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning
and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the
judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims
are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full
statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. The invention can be better
visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like
elements are referenced by like numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The novel features of this invention, as well as the
invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will
be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar
reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of a preferred
embodiment the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a second perspective view from a rear
aspect with respect to FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective illustration showing a device
loaded to a dispenser hopper;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the device loaded to a
dispenser hopper;
[0020] FIG. 4 is further a side aspect view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in
FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a front end view thereof; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a side aspect view with a sectional cutaway of a
device in a hopper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0026] Various inventive features are described below that can each
be used independently of one another or in combination with other
features. Broadly with regard to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, embodiments of
the present invention generally provide a storage device 10 having
a casing 14 with physical and mechanical features 18, 20, 21, 22,
23, 24, 61, 62, 63, that enable an automated dispenser to reliably
move the storage device 10 through a loading and dispensing process
therewithin. The casing's 14 physical and mechanical features
reduce the chance of a user loading the storage device in an
automated dispenser 90 (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B) incorrectly. The
casing additionally improves the stacking of storage devices 10 in
a dispenser. The casing 14 may also improve the ability of
automated dispensers to move the storage device through the writing
and dispensing process. The storage devices one of a variety of
types, for example, USB solid state drives (also referred to as
flash drives, thumb drives, or the like as illustrated), Secure
Digital (SD) cards, Compact Flash (CF) cards, micro (SD) and the
like.
[0027] Further referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a USB flash device
10 may include one or more features 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 61, 62,
63, that help align the device 10 in an automated dispenser.
Further, the features prevent backwards or upside down loading of
the device 10 in an automated dispenser and facilitates moving the
device 10 through the process of writing and dispensing in the
automated dispenser 90. One example of an automated dispenser
useful in the present invention is described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/980,128, filed Dec. 28, 2010, the contents
of which are herein incorporated by reference.
[0028] The storage device 10 further includes a connector 12,
including a ground shield, a case housing 14 and electronics 16
disposed inside the case housing 14. The storage device 10 may
further include a guiding feature 18 which, in a preferred
embodiment, is realized as a hole 18 formed at an end opposite the
connector 12. Or more particularly, the feature comprises a hole 18
coupled to a channel 18a. In alternative embodiments, the guiding
feature 18 may communicate externally of the housing 14.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the guiding feature
18 in a preferred embodiment, permits the storage device 10 to
slide along a rail, such as a T-rail 91, in the automated dispenser
90. The guiding feature 18 may enable the storage device 10 to be
easily stacked, may reduce the risk of incorrect loading, and may
align the storage device 10 for use in the automated dispenser
90.
[0030] The storage device 10 may further include one or more
mechanical asymmetry features 20. In some embodiments, the
mechanical asymmetry features 20 may include different surface
shapes 20a, 20b on specific locations of the housing 14. For
example, at the end opposite of the connector 12, one side of the
end may be rounded 20b with a particular radius of curvature while
the other side of the end may be more angular 20a, having, for
example, sharp angles. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the angled
surface 20a that does not have any curvature is guided by
complementary surface 92 of the automated dispenser 90. Similarly,
rounded surface 20b is also guided by complementary surface 93. The
mechanical asymmetry features 20, 20a, 20b may reduce the ability
for a user to load the storage device 10 upside down or backward in
to an automated dispenser.
[0031] The storage device 10 may further include one or more
graspable features 21, 22, 23, 24. The graspable features 21, 22,
23, 24 may include, for example, protrusions on one or both sides
of the storage device 10, having a defined indentation there
between. In some embodiments, the graspable features 21, 22, 23, 24
may be formed on a top and/or bottom surface of the housing 14. The
graspable features 21, 22, 23, 24 may enable an automated dispenser
to reliably move the storage device 10 through the writing and
dispensing process.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the casing or housing
14 comprises an upper and lower half in a preferred embodiment.
Optionally, the features of the storage device 10, such as the
graspable features 21, 22, 23, 24, may be molded at the time of
forming the housing 14, or may be added on to an existing storage
device casing 14. Similarly, the mechanical asymmetry features 20
may be in the same mold as the housing 14 or may be added on after
the housing 14 molding is complete.
[0033] FIG. 6 provides a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6
in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5. As shown the guiding feature 18, 18a has a
plurality of ledges 61, 62, 63 angled to assist in a free fall of a
device as loaded to a dispenser 90 (see also FIG. 8). In this
particular embodiment, first and second angled ledges 61, 62 are on
opposing sides of the channel 18a; and a third angled ledge 63 is
opposite the channel 18a.
[0034] While the above description refers to flash drives, other
storage devices may be configured with the features described here
within to permit those storage devices to operate in an automated
dispenser. For example, SD card, CF card, Memory Stick, micro (SD)
and other solid state storage devices may be used within the scope
of the present invention.
[0035] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
[0036] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that
the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the
purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the
invention as defined by the following claims. For example,
notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth
below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood
that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or
different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not
initially claimed in such combinations.
[0037] While the particular USB Solid State Storage Casing for
Automated Writing and Dispensing as herein shown and disclosed in
detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the
advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is
merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of
construction or design herein shown other than as described in the
appended claims.
[0038] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or
later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently
within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
* * * * *